Step 1: End Resource Hungry Processes

The Windows Task Manager will give you the ability to break and shutdown programs that are caused Windows to bottleneck.

Press CTRL-ALT-DELETE

Click the Processes

Evaluate the programs in the task manager.

Click the process and then double click End Process.

Step 2: Control TSR Programs

System lockups in Windows are often the result of program conflicts. This can occur when too many programs are loaded and stay in your RAM memory. Think of your RAM as a limited amount of oxygen. Too many programs vying for this resource will cause your system to bottleneck and next thing is your computer froze. These RAM eating programs are called Terminate and Stay Resident programs. These load up automatically when Windows loads. This may be why your computer froze here is how to stop them.

Step 4: Fix Bad Hard Drive Sectors.

Your hard disk is a important part of your computer that has moving parts. This fact makes it susceptible to damage. Although, this damage is minute physically, it cause major software problems. This damage is called a bad sector. Windows constantly tries to fix these sectors. However, it cant repair the damaged area, your system will lock up. You need to instruct it to skip over or clean up the sector. Here is how:

Click the Windows button or Start and open the Computer folder.

Find and Select your hard drive, right click the hard drive icon.

Choose Properties from the drop down list.

In the Local Disk Properties dialog box, click the Tools tab.

Click the Check Now button.

For maximum cleanup click “Automatically fix…” and “Scan for …”

If you see new dialog window, click Schedule disk check to start.

Step 5: Driver Incompatibility.

Driver conflicts can cause your computer to operate at a standstill, crash and slowdown. Updated drivers assure that your hardware and software can communicate efficiently. If these files are not updated Windows can be interrupted and freeze when it tries to access your hardware.

In the Disk Manager you can run a scan for driver conficts. To run this scan follow the instructions below.

Click Start

Choose Run command.

type “compmgmt.msc”, This will run a scan of your drivers.

Or

Click Start

Click Control Panel

Click System

In the System menu, click the hardware tab.

Click Device Manager to bring up a full list of installed hardware drivers, Look for exclamation marks that indicate trouble.

Right click and choose Properties to evaluate the status and troubleshoot the hardware device.

Hopefully this helps you solve why your computer froze. It a common problem that can be fix often with a few tweaks. If you have tried these tips. You should try to use a system restore or use your repair disk to alleviate the problem of why your computer froze.